Rent or buy: The question confounds people in every income bracket, age group and geographic location. There's no easy answer, because the benefits of owning or renting are different for every person. Some people love the independence that renting offers -- no huge mortgage debt, no maintenance woes, and the freedom to move from place to place with just a month's notice. Still, in most cases, buying a home is better for your finances in the long run.

Buying a home is the largest purchase most of us ever make, and unless you've been lucky enough to inherit a fortune or win the lottery, you'll have to go into debt for it. Since you'll be making loan payments for a very long time, it pays to learn enough about mortgages to be able to pick one you can live with.

You wouldn't hire someone to work in your office without interviewing them and checking their references, yet you might very well consider using a real estate agent you met briefly at an open house or called in response to an ad. Since this is the person who will be guiding you through the biggest financial and legal transaction of your life, search for your real estate agent with almost as much care as you hunt for your home.

Let's face it; all of us are susceptible to serious financial pitfalls. Things like unexpected illnesses, periods of unemployment, or severe damage to your home can cause you to lose income or take on added expenses. One thing leads to another. You fall behind on a few monthly payments. Your creditors start calling you, and pretty soon it feels like you've fallen into a deep hole and can't get out. You do the best you can until you finally sit down and ask yourself, "Should I file bankruptcy?"

If you do find yourself going through a major financial "speed-bump" you're going to want to research the facts before you make a decision.

Remember learning about the food pyramid in school? Maybe you didn't pay attention when the school nurse talked about it. After all, adults were responsible for giving us our meals. But look at the food pyramid today. We get our own meals now and the food pyramid can be a useful guide for helping us know what foods we should eat to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Much like the food pyramid, there is a "financial pyramid." Being an adult means not only having to feed ourselves but also having to manage our finances by ourselves. So by adhering to the basic behaviors in the financial pyramid, you can do a lot to ensure that you have a healthy financial life.

So you have some debt that you're sick and tired of paying for and you have made THE DECISION to get out of debt as fast as you can. But of course, you need to do more than make a decision to get out of debt; you need a plan. So where do you start?

Hurricanes threaten the Southeast every year, wildfires are a danger in Southern California and other dry wooded areas, and tornadoes can be a deadly force in parts of the Midwest. So what can you do to prepare for a major natural disaster like a hurricane or a tornado? And what about preparing for those other unforeseen emergencies like losing a job or going through a divorce?

Experts agree that there are some things that you can do to prepare yourself and your property for when disaster strikes.

Have you ever known anyone who found themselves suddenly unemployed? Or someone who had to leave their job due to an illness or death in the family? Or someone who was injured in an accident and couldn't work for a time?

Most of us hope something like that will not happen to us. But what if it does? Would you be prepared?

Whether it's a mild crisis like temporary unemployment or a catastrophic one like a severe illness, you will bounce back quicker if you take precautionary steps beforehand and make good decisions during your crisis.

All of us experience financial challenges at one time or another: an unexpected problem with the car, a sudden illness or even a job loss. We work hard to make money come in, only to watch it go right back out. At times it seems like these financial issues are unavoidable. The truth is many start with an innocent financial mistake that spirals into a serious financial dilemma.

Most of us have long and short-term financial goals. We may want to buy a house, retire early, or start our own business some day. At the same time, most of us also have debt that we want to pay off within a few months or years.

Some people fear that if they commit to paying off their debts, they'll never get around to saving for the things they want. Others worry that if they put more in savings, their debts will continue to grow and eventually overwhelm them. It is an age old dilemma: Which should you tackle first?

Perhaps nothing puts more strain on otherwise happy, healthy relationships than money. Whether you are married or living together, the topic of finances can be one of the most difficult subjects to deal with.

This is a difficult topic to address. If your spouse dies, the trauma of the loss may make it very difficult to focus on your immediate financial affairs. Unfortunately, there are decisions that have to be made regarding the disposition of assets and the settlement of your spouse's estate. The following is a brief but important list of steps that can guide you as you begin to prepare for life without your spouse.

Divorce can be one of life's most stressful ordeals. Trying to make clear-headed, well-informed financial decisions while going through this very difficult time can be an overwhelming challenge. The good news is that divorce provides you with an opportunity to start over both emotionally and financially.

Below are a few tips to help you achieve financial security and independence after a divorce.

Single parenting is tough. It's hard to make ends meet when you're trying to provide for two or more on just one income. You make sure everyone is on time for soccer games and music lessons. And, you have to keep up with the weekly household chores. "Money Management?" you might say. "I barely have time to breathe!"

Basic money management techniques are a necessity for a single parent. The more you commit to it, the more you are going to make life a little more manageable. You might even find yourself with a little extra income that can help you enjoy life as a single parent. And you might even find time to breathe.